Baraclude

Baraclude is used for:

Treating hepatitis B virus infection in certain patients.

Baraclude is a nucleoside analogue. It works by reducing the amount of hepatitis B virus in the blood. It also helps prevent the hepatitis B virus from multiplying and infecting new liver cells.

Do NOT use Baraclude if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Baraclude
• you have HIV infection and you are not receiving HAART

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Baraclude :

Some medical conditions may interact with Baraclude . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have HIV infection or kidney problems, or if you are on dialysis
• if you have kidney problems or are on dialysis
• if you have had a liver transplant

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Baraclude . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Medicines that may harm the kidney (eg, aminoglycoside antibiotics [eg, gentamicin], amphotericin B, cyclosporine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs] [eg, ibuprofen], tacrolimus, vancomycin) because they may increase the risk of Baraclude 's side effects. Ask your doctor if you are unsure if any of your medicines may harm the kidneys.

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Baraclude may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Baraclude :

Use Baraclude as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• An extra patient leaflet is available with Baraclude . Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
• Take Baraclude on an empty stomach, at least 2 hours after a meal and at least 2 hours before the next meal.
• Baraclude works best if it is taken at the same time each day.
• Continue to take Baraclude even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
• If you miss a dose of Baraclude , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Baraclude .

Important safety information:

• Baraclude may cause dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Baraclude with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Baraclude does not stop you from spreading hepatitis B virus to others through sex, sharing needles, or being exposed to your blood. Talk with your doctor about safe sexual practices that protect your partner. Never share needles. Do not share personal items that may have blood or body fluids on them, like toothbrushes or razors. A vaccine is available to protect people at risk from becoming infected with hepatitis B virus.
• Baraclude is not a cure for hepatitis B virus infection. Remain under the care of your doctor.
• When your medicine supply is low, get more from your doctor or pharmacist as soon as you can. Do not stop taking Baraclude , even for a short period of time. If you do, the virus may grow resistant to the medicine and become harder to treat.
• Lab tests, including liver and kidney function, may be performed while you use Baraclude and for several months after you stop Baraclude . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Baraclude with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Baraclude should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 16 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Baraclude while you are pregnant. It is not known if Baraclude is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Baraclude .

Possible side effects of Baraclude :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room immediately.

Store Baraclude at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 to 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Baraclude out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Baraclude , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Baraclude is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Baraclude . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.